Image Credit: Strawberry Hill House (Chiswick Chap) CC 3.0
Houses of West London - Strawberry Hill & Osterley Park
Thursday 23rd July 2026
We are delighted to offer this full day visit to two stunning houses in West London. We plan to arrive at Strawberry Hill House mid-morning for coffee/tea before commencing our guided tour. Often described as Britain’s finest example of Georgian Gothic Revival architecture, Strawberry Hill House was created by Horace Walpole in the mid-18th century. This highly imaginative villa combines theatrical design with antiquarian inspiration, featuring ornate interiors, traceried ceilings and a striking array of decorative details inspired by medieval buildings. The house also played a significant role in the development of Gothic literature, as Walpole wrote The Castle of Otranto here, often regarded as the first Gothic novel.
Following our visit, we will depart around 12.30pm for the journey to Osterley Park. Set within expansive landscaped parkland, Osterley Park is a grand neo-classical estate managed by the National Trust. The house was transformed in the late 18th century by the celebrated architect Robert Adam, whose elegant interiors exemplify the height of Georgian design, with harmonious proportions, refined plasterwork and richly coloured decorative schemes. Once a country retreat for the Child banking family, Osterley offers a striking contrast to Strawberry Hill, combining architectural splendour with beautifully designed gardens, parkland and lakes.
There will be time to purchase lunch and refreshments at Osterley, and you will have free time to explore the house, where there are knowledgeable room guides and gardens until our departure in the late afternoon.
Depart Beeches Car Park, Cirencester at 8.00 am (please arrived by 7.45am)
The Treasurer, David Taylor (HW), 1 Oaklands, Cirencester, GL7 1FA
YOUR PLACE WILL ONLY BE CONFIRMED ONCE PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED – you will receive an email to this
effect.
It is advisable that you complete and bring with you an “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) form on the day. The ICE form can be downloaded by clicking on the button below. The form is a note of your essential medical details in the unfortunate event of an accident, or illness during the visit, when it would be passed to paramedics. It is not read by any of our Society.